Are you a dog person with horses or a horse person with dogs?

Quite in the middle :) 2 horses and they draw more time but at home we have 6 dogs, only 1 being mine and actually living with me, but anything that’s not the horses (or chickens) is the dog, plus 75% of my work is dogs, 0% horses. There’s not many animals I don’t like. I could even be a crazy cat person in a different life.
 
Had neither growing up, obsessed with both. Got my first dog with OH in my mid to late 20's and bought my own first horse a few years later. Can't imagine life with neither animal in them, I also love cats too though and would be happy with those in the menagerie.

Struggle managing 2 dogs with OH and 2 horses by myself and working - I had 4 years with part time work as thought that might be an option long term but ended up working 7 days a week across 3 or 4 jobs so had even less time - and it was the horses / riding that missed out. Now back full time and as the bloke in the feedshop said the other day - whilst commenting my dog and horse were lucky as I'd bought treats - you have 2 of each and work - do you ever have any free time ?

No is the answer.
 
We usually had a dog when I was growing up and I adored mine but it was always horses I wanted. Worked with horses for 4 yrs after leaving school then bought my favourite pony and went to work in an office at 21. Soon added a youngster, welsh section C and got involved with the local RC. Married a (tenant) farmer's son at 23 and started collecting and breeding appaloosas. Did many years having fun at the RC, only a low level one so just on ponies, then started showing my appaloosas and got involved with British Appaloosa Society. I wanted a dog but FIL wouldn't allow it, we lived on the farm so he had the say. Farm went in 1994 and I moved mine and my sister's horses and by now sheep too, to a field owned by my BIL. Still there but now it is mainly sheep. Got into dogs as soon as I could and then got hooked by agility. Became horseless in 2017, sister still had a couple of ponies, then got given and old brood mare to potter on if I felt like it last year. So from being a horse person without dogs I am now a 100% committed dog person with an interest in horses but no longer a horse person. Actually for a long time I was a cat person when I couldn't have a dog. Had 5 at one point. If ever I can't have dogs any more I will have another cat/cats.
 
We always had boxers growing up and in my mid 30’s I inherited my mothers elderly rescue boxer. I didn’t have time for a dog again until a couple of years ago and I added a second horse and rescue 8 month old mixed breed within two weeks of each other. It was massively hard going for the first 6-8 months but he’s turned into the perfect stable and hacking dog. My ginger knob will go anywhere with the dog leading the way. It’s great as I can exercise all three at the same time.

With my old boy and sharer on the big ginge.

wqWDAbo.jpg


Riding out.
ubFZfqI.jpg
 
I'm a dog person plus horses. Grew up with riding nose to tail in S E London but with labradors and GSD's a huge part of my life.
Always wanted a horse but parents didn't have the funds.
At 30 I took on a 3 day a week share, originally for a year to see if I had the commitment etc. That was 7 years ago!
Then somewhere along the line Mrs Spaniel came to stay and now Miss Collie and we're out doing dog things most evenings and weekends and my 3 days a week suit me perfectly. I still daydream about my own horse but I wouldn't be able to fit it in around the dogs unless that elusive lottery win comes in and I can retire to have more time in my days!
 
Good question, I couldn't imagine life without either, but I'm probably a horse person with dogs really. I adore my dogs, but horses were my obsession from when I was teeny and clambering up on the sofa to peek out of the window because I heard a clip clip of hooves outside. Horses occupy a lot more of my thoughts,and I love and am fascinated by training them, whereas I have zero interest in training my dogs beyond basically making them nice to live with.
 
Horses are my heart animals and dogs are my soul animals.

I understand your struggle op, i think it's very difficult to juggle a dog and horse when you are sole carer of both. I have 'ended up' with my dog for various reasons, i have always said i wouldn't have a dog and a horse as they take too much time away from each other, but here i am juggling! I am very lucky that my family will look after the dog when i want to ride.

I lost a horse 2 years ago and decided that was the end, that lasted 2 weeks!

If I didn't have a horse, I'd have a dog and vice versa.

But i love the bones of both current animals so have to make it work and try to keep the never ending guilt under control
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top